Medallion packaging device for disc-shaped items and related materials and method for packaging such discs and material

ABSTRACT

A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as a CD-ROM or DVD, together with other materials. The packaging device includes a pair of complementary container elements attached to each other at the edges thereof by means of an interlocking mechanism such as a hinge, such that the shape of said complementary container elements is in a mating top and bottom or “clam-shell” type configuration. The container has an open position in which the complementary container elements are separated, and a closed position in which the complementary container elements are engaged with each other and cooperate to form a cavity therebetween. The container elements include means for retaining the container in a closed position with the first container element being situated immediately adjacent to the second container element such that the chamber formed thereby is relatively insulated. A sealing member may also be provided to cover said opening, which sealing member must be removed to provide access to the opening. Alternatively, the sealing member may include a second opening corresponding to the opening in the container, and access is provided through said openings by rotating the sealing member so that the two openings are aligned. Stops may also be provided so as to prevent the sealing member from rotating freely.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/916,870 filed on Jul. 27, 2001 in the name of Alexandra Gordon,Charles W. Grimes and William L. Plumb for “Clamshell Packaging Devicefor Disc-Shaped Items and Related Materials and Method for PackagingSuch Disks and Materials,” which, in turn, is a continuation in part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/565,342 filed on May 5, 2000 in thename of Alexandra Gordon and Charles W. Grimes for “Plug PackagingDevice for Disc-Shaped Items and Related Materials and Method forPackaging Such Disks and Materials,” which, in turn, is a continuationin part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/161,064 filed on Sep. 25,1998 in the name of Alexandra Gordon and Charles W. Grimes for“Packaging Device for Disc-Shaped Items and Related Materials and Methodfor Packaging Such Disks and Materials,” which has since issued as U.S.Pat. No. 6,216,857.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates, in general, to a device for packaging anddisplaying a circular or disc-shaped media and other materials and amethod for packaging such disc-shaped media and other materials and, inparticular, to containers and methods for initially packaging andthereafter repeatedly storing disc-shaped media together with or withoutother materials.

[0004] Still more particularly the present invention relates to a newand improved container for initially packaging and thereafter repeatedstoring of disc-shaped media and other materials in stackedrelationship, including means for receiving and securely retaining thedisc media and the other materials.

[0005] Still more particularly the present invention further relates toa new and improved system and method for initially packaging andthereafter repeated storing of media and other materials in stackedrelationship, wherein in a preferred embodiment the media is releasablyretained by a container such that the media is permitted to moverotationally while being limited in linear movement both perpendicularlyand parallel to the plane of the media, and the other materials areplaced inside the cavity defined by said container. The containerincludes two separate and complementary container elements, saidelements being attached or joined by a flexible hinge.

[0006] 2. Background of the Invention

[0007] Packaging and storage devices for media are generally known.Disc-shaped media, such as CD's, DVD's or CD-ROM's, encounter specialproblems in handling, packaging and storage due to their delicate, flatrecorded surfaces. Such disc media is generally sold in plastic caseswhich are sometimes referred to as “jewel boxes.” Such cases aregenerally rectangular and have a mounting hub for holding the disc mediaby its center aperture. Such cases are usually kept after purchase ofthe disc media and utilized for re-packaging of the disc media betweenusage. Such jewel boxes are impractical packaging containers forshipping because of their small dimensions and easy breakage, and theythus require substantial additional packaging material or placement inlarger shipping containers.

[0008] Disc media is routinely sold with other materials (whetherdirectly related to the content of the disc media, i.e., ancillary, orotherwise). At the present time, disc media in such “jewel boxes” iscommonly packaged together with ancillary materials in largerrectangular shaped cardboard boxes for shipping, sale and packaging. The“jewel boxes” are necessary to reliably protect the disc media fromcontact with the ancillary materials in the larger cardboard boxes. Suchplastic case/cardboard box combination package arrangements are not onlyexpensive, they also do not lend themselves to easy and secure repeatedre-storage of the disc media and ancillary materials. They are oftendamaged during initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are oftenunable after initial opening to securely re-store the disc media (in thejewel box) and the other materials together in the cardboard packagingin a manner to preclude contact with each other. They frequently becomeunsightly after initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are,themselves, difficult to handle and store.

[0009] Other types of packaging and storage devices are needed toorganize, protect, ship, display at retail and store disc media soldand/or shipped in combination with ancillary materials.

[0010] A need also exists for devices which can effectively andefficiently organize, protect, ship, display at retail and store discshaped media with other materials.

[0011] An opportunity exists that is not being commercially exploited atthe present time to distribute disc-shaped recording media withmaterials that are either ancillary or wholly unrelated to the contentof the disc media. This opportunity arises in connection with deliveryof purchases to catalog, e-commerce, and other “shop-at-home” customers,as well as for the distribution of free-standing-insert typeadvertising, samples, business-to-business communications and otherforms of direct marketing and retail sales. This opportunity is notbeing exploited due to the lack of an effective container design andmethod for efficiently organizing, protecting, shipping, displaying atretail and storing disc-shaped media packaged with other materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The primary object of the present invention is to provide acontainer in which and a method whereby disc-shaped media and ancillarymaterials can initially be packaged together in stacked relationshipand, after removal and use, they can easily be re-stored in stackedrelationship in a manner so as to avoid contact therebetween.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a containerand a method of packaging that eliminates the need for a separate case(i.e., the need for a “jewel box”) for the disc media.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide acontainer and a method of packaging whereby during initial storage,shipping, retail presentation and re-packaging disc media is securelyheld against movement and protected.

[0015] Still another important object of the present invention is toprovide a shipping container in which and a method of packaging wherebydisc-shaped media and other materials can be packaged, presented,conveyed, distributed and stored.

[0016] But another important object of the present invention is toprovide an aesthetically unique and compelling device and method forpresenting at retail disc-shaped media and other materials which may ormay not be related to the content of the media.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a containerand a method of packaging including a container in a clam-shellconfiguration having two complementary compartments joined by aninterlocking mechanism such as a common hinge forming, when in theclosed position, a chamber, at least of one of said compartmentsincluding means on the external surface thereof to receive and retain adisc media and prevent movement of said disc media in the plane orperpendicular to the plane of the disc media, and further wherein saidchamber can receive and retain materials other than said disc media.

[0018] Still another object of the present invention is to provide acontainer and a method of packaging whereby two disc media may besimultaneously received and retained on external surfaces of a containerhaving a clam-shell like configuration, and further wherein materialsother than the disc media may be stored within a chamber in thecontainer.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a containerand a method of packaging whereby a disc media may be received andretained on an external surface of a container having a clam-shell likeconfiguration and materials other than the disc media may be storedwithin a chamber in the container, wherein access to said materials isprovided by an opening in said container.

[0020] Still another object of the present invention is to provide acontainer and a method of packaging whereby access to a chamber in acontainer having a clam-shell like configuration is provided by anopening in said container, which opening is covered by a seal.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a containerand a method of packaging whereby access to a chamber in a containerhaving a clam-shell like configuration is provided by an opening in saidcontainer, which opening is covered by a seal, wherein said sealincludes an opening corresponding to said opening in said container, andfurther wherein said seal may be rotated so as to alternatively alignsaid openings to provide access into said chamber or close said openingin said container.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide acontainer and a method of packaging whereby the first member has twocomplementary components, capable of being joined together by acomplementary interlocking structure, and the outside configuration ofone of the compartments is adapted for seating engagement with thesecond member.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a “safety”seal whereby the first member is secured to the second member until theend user receives the container and removes the seal to thereby allowthe two members to be separated.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to provide acontainer and method of packaging whereby the second member includes aremovable seal to protect the other materials stored therein.

[0025] To accomplish these and other objects, the container of thisinvention in its preferred form is a packaging device for packaging atleast one disc-shaped recording media and materials other than saiddisc-shaped media comprising a container consisting of a pair ofcomplementary container elements attached to each other at the edgesthereof by means of an interlocking mechanism as is commonly known inthe art, such as an interlocking snap fit or a common hinge, such thatthe shape of said complementary container elements is in a mating topand bottom or “clam-shell” type configuration. The container has an openposition in which the complementary container elements are separated,and a closed position in which the complementary container elements areengaged with each other and cooperate to form a cavity therebetween. Thecontainer elements include means for retaining the container in a closedposition with the first container element being situated immediatelyadjacent to the second container element such that the chamber formedthereby is relatively insulated. Said means for retaining may be a snapor clasp, or may simply require that one of said container elements beslightly smaller in diameter than the other such that the smallercontainer element nests within the larger. The complementary containerelements may be prevented from separating in the open position by meansof the flexible hinge. The flexible hinge or interlocking mechanism mayalso serve to create a closed loop when said container is in the closedposition, through which a rope or lanyard may be inserted to therebycreate a convenient means for carrying the container about one's neck,wrist, waist or otherwise.

[0026] Disposed on at least one external surface of the container ismeans for supporting and protecting said recording media within saidfirst chamber against lineal movement in either the plane of therecording media or perpendicular to the plane of the recording media,while simultaneously allowing the recording media to rotate about theaxis perpendicular to the plane of the recording media. In alternativeembodiments, means for supporting a second disc-shaped media is alsoprovided, or alternatively, an opening may be provided on the externalsurface of the container on the side opposite that upon which thedisc-shaped media is retained, said opening providing access into thechamber and the material stored therein. A sealing member may also beprovided to cover said opening, which sealing member must be removed toprovide access to the opening. Alternatively, the sealing member mayinclude a second opening corresponding to the opening in the container,and access is provided through said openings by rotating the sealingmember so that the two openings are aligned. Stops may also be providedso as to prevent the sealing member from rotating freely.

[0027] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantagesof the invention will become apparent in the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention areset forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as wellas the preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof,will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the novel disc packagingdevice of the present invention with the lid and disk media removed,illustrating the use of a one-piece annular collar member with anannular ring and lip;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of a portion ofthe novel disc packaging device of FIG. 1 when the lid is on thecontainer, along line AA illustrating the resultant first and secondchambers thereof;

[0031]FIG. 2A is an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG.2, wherein a protective element is inserted between the first and secondchambers;

[0032]FIG. 2B is an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG.2A, showing an alternative method of insertion of the protective elementbetween the first and second chambers;

[0033]FIG. 2C is a further alternative embodiment of the device shown inFIG. 2A, showing, a further alternative method of insertion of theprotective element between the first and second chambers;

[0034]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device ofthe present invention illustrating the alternative use of abutments andprotrusions affixed to the inside wall of the container;

[0035]FIG. 3A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of a portion ofthe device shown in FIG. 3, along line B-B, with a disc media and othermaterials inserted and the lid affixed;

[0036]FIG. 3B is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionillustrating the alternative use of the upstanding rim of the base andthe inside wall of the cover in place of the abutments and protrusionsof FIG. 3;

[0037]FIG. 3C is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionillustrating the alternative use of the outer surface of the cover andthe inner surface of a supplementary cover in place of the abutments andprotrusions of FIG. 3;

[0038]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device ofthe present invention illustrating the alternative use of a centerannular post support for the disc media suspended from spokes;

[0039]FIG. 4A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of the deviceshown in FIG, 4, along line C-C, with a disc media and other materialsinserted and the lid affixed;

[0040]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device ofthe present invention illustrating fingers that extend from a framecarried by the side wall of the container and that provide centersupport for the disc media;

[0041]FIG. 5A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of the deviceshown in FIG. 5, alone, line D-D, with a disc media and other materialsinserted and the lid affixed;

[0042]FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of alternate embodimentsof the packaging device of the present invention depicting two differentmethods of mounting the disc media support member to the device outerwall;

[0043]FIG. 7 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention with disc media and other materialsinserted, the protective element inserted and the lid closed, in whichthe first chamber in which the disc media is stored is in the cover;

[0044]FIG. 7A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the device shown in FIG. 7, wherein the disc media isinserted into a protective envelope that is affixed to the inner surfaceof the cover;

[0045]FIGS. 8 and 8A are side perspective, partially cut-away,cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, illustrating the use of the “lid” of the embodiment shown inFIG. 7 as the base, thereby allowing the portion of the inventiondefining the second chamber to be of an irregular shape (FIG. 8) or tohave deformable construction (FIG. 8A);

[0046]FIG. 9 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention in which the disk media is locatedin the lid and the lid and the container include second and thirdchambers, respectively, for storing other material;

[0047]FIG. 10 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of another embodimentof the present invention in which the second chamber in the containerfor storing other materials includes a second opening separate anddistinct from the lid and a removable cover such that access to thesecond chamber can be attained without removing the lid;

[0048]FIGS. 11 and 11A are cut-away, cross-sectional side views ofanother embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 10 in which the method ofmounting shown in FIG. 6A is utilized and wherein the removable coverfor the second chamber can be mated with the removable cover for thefirst chamber to form a mini-packaging device shown in FIG. 11A;

[0049]FIG. 12 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A in which the methodshown in FIG. 3B for retaining the disc media is utilized and in whichthe two covers threadably engage the base and, when removed, can bethreaded together to create a mini-packaging unit;

[0050]FIGS. 12A and 12B are cut-away, cross-sectional side views ofalternative embodiments of the device shown in FIG. 12, wherein the twocovers slidably engage after removal (FIG. 12A) or threadably engageafter removal (FIG. 12B);

[0051]FIG. 13 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of anotherembodiment of the present invention in which a concave cavity on theexterior side of the cover for the device forms the first chamber forthe disc media and a seal encloses the disc media within the concavecavity;

[0052]FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternativeembodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionwith the lid, disk media and protective element removed, illustratingthe use of a sealed base;

[0053]FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternativeembodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionin which the disk media is sealed within the lid, and the base isseparately sealed, and the lid and base are detachably joined togetherby an outer packaging skin that can be severed with a pull string;

[0054]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the noveldisc packaging device of the present invention in which the disc mediais retained in a lid, which lid is engaged and retained within acontainer by means of an arcuate lip and tab or snap means, and theentire container and lid structure is then inserted into the opening ofanother container (not shown) containing other materials;

[0055]FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.16;

[0056]FIG. 17A is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.16 showing the manner in which the lid of the device is attached to thecontainer;

[0057]FIG. 18 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 16 along line G-G;

[0058]FIG. 18A is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 16 along line G-G showing the disc media retained therein.completely inserted;

[0059]FIG. 19A is a top elevational view of another embodiment of thenovel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the discmedia is retained in the bottom chamber of a clam-shell first member,which first member is engaged and retained within the container andserves as a cover or seal thereto;

[0060]FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 19A;

[0061]FIG. 19C is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 19A;

[0062]FIG. 19D is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 19Ashowing an optional seal being inserted;

[0063]FIG. 19E is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 19Dshowing the optional seal completely inserted;

[0064]FIG. 20A is a top elevational view of another embodiment of thenovel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the discmedia is retained in the bottom chamber of a clam-shell first member,which first member is engaged and retained within the container andserves as a cover or seal thereto;

[0065]FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 20A;

[0066]FIG. 20C is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 20A;

[0067]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thenovel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the plugmember is stored in a preliminary plug, which is designed to be insertedinto and substantially seal the opening of a container;

[0068]FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of yet another alternateembodiment, of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionin which the plug container sits above a temporary container seal;

[0069]FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternateembodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionin which the disc media is stored on an external surface of a one piececlam-shell like container having a chamber therein for storing materialsother than said disc media;

[0070]FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodimentof FIG. 23, showing the clam-shell like container in a closed position;

[0071]FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment ofFIG. 23, showing two separate container elements having extensions thatmate together to form a loop;

[0072]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment ofFIG. 23 including means for storing a second disc media on the sideopposite the first disc media;

[0073]FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment ofFIG. 24 in which an opening is provided in the container and a sealingmember is further provided to cover said opening, which sealing membermay include an opening that corresponds to the opening in the containersuch that access is provided into the chamber by aligning the twoopenings; and

[0074]FIG. 26 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 25 inwhich the sealing member is allowed to rotate so as to allow alignmentof the two openings, and stops are provided so as to prevent the sealingmember from rotating freely.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0075] With reference now to the figures and in particular withreference to FIG. 1, there is shown a front view of the disc packagingdevice 10 of the present invention. As illustrated, disc packagingdevice 10 includes a lower base component or container 12 and an uppercover component or lid 14. Lower base component 12 and upper covercomponent 14 are utilized to form a generally cylindrical packagingdevice of dimension slightly larger than the disc shaped recording mediato be stored. End plates 16 and 18 cooperate with lower base component12 and upper cover component 14 to fully enclose the cylindricalpackaging space defined thereby.

[0076] The lower base component 12 of the embodiment of this inventionshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a side wall 20. The side wall can beconstructed from either cardboard (i.e., natural fiber material) orplastic (i.e., man-made synthetic material) or other material suitablyrigid for the base component to retain its shape, including metal, e.g.,as in a vacuum sealed, canned product.

[0077] The base component 12 can be designed to threadably receive thebottom plate 16 which is of conventional design, made of stiffcardboard, plastic, metal or some similarly rigid material and used as acover-all screw cap on a very wide variety of containers. Alternativelythe bottom plate 16 can nest inside the side wall 20 where it is held byfriction, stapling, gluing or some other means. The side wall 20 has anupper section 22 and the upper section 22 can be threaded to accommodatethe upper cover component 14 although in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1and 2 the cover is made of plastic and snaps on in a conventionalmanner.

[0078] As best seen in FIG. 2, the upper section 22 is defined by anouter wall 24, an inner wall 26 and a rim 28. The cover component 14 hasa side wall 30 defined by an outer wall 32, an inner wall 34 and a rim36. The diameter of the inner wall 34 of the cover component is slightlygreater than the diameter of the outer wall 24 of the base component. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is an inner structure 40which provides circumferential support for a disc shaped media 42 storedwithin the packaging device 10. The structure 40 comprises an annularcollar 44 having an annular ring 46 and an annular lip 48. The innerstructure 40 nests within the lower base component 12. The annularcollar 44 has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the innerwall 26 of the base component such that the annular collar extendsbeyond the inner wall 26 and sits on top of the base rim 28. The annularring 46 has an outer diameter less than the diameter of the inner wall26, such that the annular ring nests inside the inner wall 26. Theannular lip 48 has an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of thedisc shaped media 42. Thus, the disc shaped media will rest on theannular lip, inside the annular ring. In this way, movement of the discshaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precluded by theannular abutment 46. Movement of the disc shaped media perpendicular toits plane is prevented in one direction by the annular lip 48. When thecover component 14 is affixed to the base component 12, the cover plate18 acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the oppositeperpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shaped media.

[0079] In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2A, a protective member 50 isattached to the annular lip 48. The protective member can be made ofplastic film or any other conventional material to provide a barrierbetween the disc shaped media and other materials 52 which can be storedin the base component 12 of the packaging device 10. The protectivemember can be permanently affixed to the annular lip or it can beaffixed at the time of assembly and shipment and removed by the consumerafter purchase, i.e., at a time when further “rough handling” that wouldcause interaction between the disc shaped media and the other materialsis less likely to occur.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2B, the protectiveelement is removable and sized to seat on the annular lip 48 between theannular lip 48 and the disc shaped media. The protective element isround like the disc shaped media and has a central opening into whichone's finger can be inserted to engage, lift and remove the protectiveelement and subsequently engage, lift and replace the protectiveelement.

[0081] In an alternative embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2C, the protectiveelement 50B is flexible and is removably inserted within the lower basecomponent beneath the annular lip 48 and on top of the other materials52 placed therein. The protective element is sized to correspond to theinterior wall 26 and has a central opening into which one's finger canbe inserted to engage, lift and remove the protective element andsubsequently engage, lift and replace the protective element.Alternatively, the protective element can be provided with a lift tab orsome other conventional means whereby it can be grabbed and removed.

[0082] In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, the innerstructure 40 is modified. The annular collar 44 with annular ring 46 andannular lip 48 is replaced. by discrete abutments 54 and discreteprotrusions 56. Collectively, the abutments 54 and protrusions 56 arepositioned within the lower base component 12 around the circumferenceof the inner wall 26 spaced below the rim 28, affixed to the inner wall26, so as to perform the same function as the annular ring 46 andannular lip 48. Specifically, the abutments 54 preclude movement of thedisc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media i.e., performingthe same function as the annular ring 46. Similarly, the protrusions 56are positioned about the inner wall 26 and collectively precludemovement of the disc shaped media in a direction perpendicular to planeof the disc shaped media i.e., performing the same function as theannular lip 48.

[0083]FIG. 3B shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the discshaped media is seated on the rim 28 and movement of the disc shapedmedia perpendicular to its plane is prevented in one direction by therim 28. When the cover 14 is affixed to the base component 12, movementof the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media isprecluded by the inner wall 34 of the cover 14 and inner surface 14 a ofthe cover 14 acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in thesecond, opposite perpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shapedmedia.

[0084]FIG. 3C shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the discshaped media is seated on the outside surface 14 b of the cover 14 andmovement of the disc shaped media perpendicular to its plane isprevented in one direction by a supplementary cover 144 that snaps ontothe cover 14. When the supplementary cover 144 is affixed to the cover14, movement of the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shapedmedia is precluded by the inner wall 144 a of the supplementary cover144 and the inner wall 144 b of the supplementary cover 144 acts topreclude movement of the disc shaped media in the second, oppositeperpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shaped media. Thesupplementary cover 144 can include a chamber 144 d and a protectiveelement 50 b can be inserted to prevent contact between the disc shapedmedia and whatever materials 52 a are placed in the chamber 144 d.

[0085] In the alternative embodiment seen in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the innersupport structure 40 is replaced with an inner support structure 58 thatprovides center support for the disc shaped media as opposed to thecircumferential support provided by inner structure 40. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the alternative inner structure 58includes an annular ring 60 and spokes 62 extending therefrom. As seenin FIG. 4A, the annular ring 60 has a raised portion 64 on which thedisc media 42 sits, The spokes 62 each have a finger portion 66 whichextends upwardly and outwardly such that when the structure 58 isinserted into the base component 12, the fingers 56 frictionally engagethe inner wall 26 and sit on the upper rim 28. The structure 58 caninclude webbing between the fencers 56 (ala the webbing in a duck'sfoot) comprised of a thin material to provide protection for the discshaped media 42 from the other materials 52. Inside the annular ring 60would be left open to allow the consumer, after removing, the cover 14,to insert their finger into the annular ring and to thereby remove boththe disc shaped media 42 and the structure 58.

[0086]FIGS. 5 and 5A show a further alternative inner structure 68comprising an annular collar 70 from which fingers 72 extend inwardly.At the ends of the fingers 72 are upstanding projections 74. The annularcollar 70 nests inside the inner wall 26 and sits on the rim 28 in thesame manner as the inner structure 40 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1and 2. The upstanding projections 74 cooperate to provide a centersupport structure for the disc shaped media.

[0087] As seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fingers 72 in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 5 and 5A do not necessarily need to be suspended from anannular collar. Alternatively, the could be clipped to the side wall 20as seen in FIG. 6A or they could be screwed into the side wall 20 asshown in FIG. 6B.

[0088] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a center supportstructure is provided for the disc shaped media in the upper covercomponent 14. Specifically, projections 80 extend from the inside wall82 of the end plate 18. These projections 80 cooperate to provide securesupport for the disc shaped media in the cover component 14. Aprotective element 84 can be provided which is either removably nestedwithin the cover as shown or which can be inserted at the time ofmanufacture and removed and discarded by the consumer after purchase.The cover 14 can engage the base component 12 in any variety Ofconventional ways, e.g., snap on, telescope on, screw on, etc.

[0089] In a further alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the discshaped media is encased within an envelope 84 a made of plastic or someother suitable material and which is affixed to the inside wall 82 ofthe end plate 18. The envelope is either removably or permanentlyaffixed, e.g., by gluing, with double-sided tape, or by otherconventional means. The envelope can itself constitute a re-useablepackaging container for the disc shaped media that either remainsaffixed to the plate 18 or can be removed from the plate 18, e.g., sothat the cover 14 can be discarded. Or the disc shaped media can bepackaged within a packaging sleeve (not shown) ail of which can then beinserted into the envelope and then removed from the envelope once theenvelope is opened.

[0090]FIGS. 8 and 8A show further alternative embodiments of the presentinvention. In FIG. 8, the fact that the disc shaped media is storedwithin the cover component 14 allows for an alternative construction ofthe container 12. In this alternative embodiment, the cover 14 serves asthe “base”. The alternative base 90, in which the other materials, inthis case, a doll 92, are stored, has an end wall structure 94 whichfrictionally encases the inner wall 96 and seals the chamber in the base90. Alternatively, wall 94 can be provided with threads so that it willthreadably engage corresponding threads on the inside wall 96. The cover14 and base 90 can be attached in the same manner as heretofore beendiscussed in connection with other embodiments.

[0091] In the embodiment showing in FIG. 8A, the cover 14 once againcarries the disc shaped media 42 and thereby allows the base 12 to be ofa deformable construction 98. The deformable member 98 has a rigidinternal support structure 100 which is designed to frictionally orthreadably engage the cover 14.

[0092] In the alternate embodiment shown In FIG. 9, the disc shapedmedia is stored in a first chamber 102 in the lid 14 defined by anannular support 40 similar in construction to the embodiment of FIG. 7,except that the lid includes a second chamber 104 defined by an outerwall 106 for other materials and the base 12 includes a third chamber108. In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 10, which is similar inconstruction to the embodiment of FIG. 4, there is provided anadditional opening 110 in the container 22 and a cover 116 for closingthe opening 110. The cover 116 can be removed to gain access to thechamber 104 without removing the cover 14.

[0093] In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, an innerstructure 40 a is provided that is a slightly modified version of theinner structure 40 shown in FIG. 2, in that it includes an annular wall45 that extends around the entire circumference of the annular collar 44and engages the outer surface of the wall of the base 12, and the cover14 is configured to engage not the base 12, but rather, the annular wall45. An additional opening 110 is provided as in the embodiment of FIG.10, and a cover 116 a is provided that is a slightly modified version ofthe cover 116 of FIG. 10, in that it includes not only an outer annularwall 116 b for engaging the outer surface of the wall of the base 12,but also an inner annular wall 116 c for engaging the inner surface ofthe wall of the base 12. The circumferential dimension of the outersurface 116 d of the wall 116 b of the cover 116 a is identical to thecircumferential dimension of the outer surface 45 d of the wall 45, suchthat the covers 14 and 116 a can be removed and the cover 14 whichmatingly engaged the wall 45 will matingly engage the outer wall 116 bof the cover 116 a, as shown in FIG. 11A. In this way, as also shown inFIG. 11A, the covers 14 and 116 a can be used together as amini-packaging device for the disc shaped media 42. In the embodimentshown, the inner wall 116 c helps to securely retain the disc shapedmedia against movement. However, it is understood that the benefits ofthe invention could be achieved without such inner wall, or utilizingone of the other retaining methods disclosed herein.

[0094] In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the disc shapedmedia seats on the rim 28 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, but thecover 14 x does not snap onto the base 12, but rather, threadablyengages it. Furthermore, the bottom 12 x of the base 12 is flaredoutwardly and contains internal threads that are of the same dimensionas the internal threads of the cover 14 x. The cover 116 x includesmating external threads such that the cover 116 x can be threaded intothe flared bottom 12 x of base 12. In this way, the covers 14 x and 116x can be removed from the base 12 and threadably engaged to form amini-packaging unit for the disc shaped media.

[0095] In the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the need toflare out the bottom of the base 12 is eliminated. In FIG. 12A, the base12 y receives a bottom cover 116 y that includes an overlapping portion117 y, the outer surface 118 y of which is of equal dimension to theouter surface 118 y of which is of equal dimension to the outer wall ofthe base 12 y, such that covers 14 y and 11 y can be slidably engaged toform a mini-storage unit for the disc media. In FIG. 12B, the base 12 zhas an external threaded portion 119 z and an internal threaded portion120 z each of which extends beyond the center line “C” of the wall ofthe base 12 z. In this way, when the covers 14 z and 116 z are removed,they can be threadably engaged to form a mini-storage unit for the discmedia.

[0096]FIG. 13 shows a further alternative embodiment, wherein the cover244 nestingly seats within the base 12 and the disc shaped media 42 isplaced within the concave recess 246 of the cover 244. A seal 248 madeof plastic or other suitable material is applied to the cover 244 tohold the disc shaped media within the cover 244 until the seal isremoved by the user. The disc shaped media can be retained againstmovement within the cover 244 as a result of contact with the side walls250, bottom wall 252 and seal 248, or by utilization of any of the othermethods taught herein.

[0097]FIG. 14 shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the base 12is a separately manufactured container of miscellaneous content, thatincludes a slightly concave end 251, the depth 252 of which exceeds thecombined thickness of a disc shaped media 42 and a protective element 50which are seated within the concave end 251 and held there by cover 14which snaps onto base 12. In an alternate embodiment, a protectiveelement is not used or the disc shaped media is packaged in an envelope(not shown).

[0098]FIG. 15 shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the discshaped media is mounted and sealed within cover 14, e.g., as taughtherein in connection with other embodiments, and cover 14 is attached tobase 12 by paper packaging material skin that binds the cover 14 andbase 12 together. Cover 14 is separated from base 12 by pulling string302 which tears the skin 301 and brakes the circumferential attachmentbetween cover 14 and base 12.

[0099] It would be understood that in each embodiment, a containerdevice is provided in which disc shaped media can be packaged,distributed, displayed at retail and, if desired, restored with othermaterials and that, in effecting such usage, discrete chambers areprovided for the disc media and for the other materials so as to preventcontact between the disc media and the other materials. In theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 6B, the inner structure, whether itis the annular collar of FIG. 1, or the discretely positionedabutment/protrusion clips of FIG. 3, or the upstanding rim in FIG. 3B,or the lid and supplemental lid of FIG. 3C, or the “spider” structure ofFIG. 4, or the “trap” structure of FIG. 5, in each case is located inand helps define a first chamber in the lower base component 12.Underneath this first chamber is a second chamber. The first chamberreceives and securely holds, despite repeated removal and re-packaging,the disc shaped media. The second chamber receives the other materialsand keeps these materials separate from the disc shaped media. The needfor a separate “jewel case” for the disc shaped media is thus completelyeliminated.

[0100] It would be understood that the shape of the container can bevaried without departing from the scope of the present invention, e.g.,the cylindrical base 12 can be square or rectangular so long as theouter wall of the collar 40 corresponds and the collar includes spacersfrom the outer wall of the collar to the annular ring and annular lip ofthe present invention. Similar adjustments could be made to the otherembodiments as would be apparent to those skilled in the an havingreviewed this disclosure. The abutment/protrusions clips of FIG. 3 couldbe mounted on a non-cylindrical shaped base, as could the spiderstructure of FIG. 4 or the trap structure of FIG. 5.

[0101] It would be understood by those skilled in the art that thefunction of the annular ring of FIG. 1 or the abutments of FIG. 2 couldbe performed by an appropriately dimensioned inner wall 26 of thecontainer 12.

[0102] It would be further understood that while several methods ofattaching the annular collar of FIG. 1, the abutment/protrusion clips ofFIG. 2, the spider structure of FIG. 3 and the trap structure of FIG. 4have been shown, those skilled in the alt after having reviewed thisdisclosure could devise other means of attachment without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

[0103] It would be further understood by those skilled in the art thatthe device and method of this invention can accommodate one or more discshaped media, e.g., through the insertion of protective elementstherebetween.

[0104] Illustrated in FIGS. 16-18 is another embodiment of the presentinvention having a lid 400 adapted to receive the disc-shaped media 42,which lid is further adapted to be received by and retained within acylindrical plug container 402 having an opening 404 therein. Towardthat end, the outer diameter of lid 400 is slightly less than thediameter of the opening 404.

[0105] A center lid support structure 406 is provided in the center oflid 400 for receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media 42. Said lidsupport structure 406 includes at least one support projection 408 whichextends from the inside surface 410 of the lid 400. These projections408 are adapted to be inserted within the central annular aperture 412of the disc-shaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 isprevented from moving linearly either perpendicularly or parallel to theplane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media42 to rotate around the lid support structure 406.

[0106] Lid 400 is partially retained within plug container 402 by meansof arcuate lip 414 which engages a corresponding indentation 416 in lid400, such that lid 400 must be inserted into plug container 402 at abias wherein indentation 416 is positioned under arcuate lip 414 priorto inserting the entire lid 400 within the opening 404 in plug container402. Said arcuate lip 414 also helps to prevent the accidental removalof lid 400 from plug container 402.

[0107] It should be appreciated that lid 400 fits within the opening 404of plug container 402 such that the outer rim 418 of lid 400 comes incontact with the inner surface 420 of the plug container 402. Lid 400 isprevented from being inserted too far into plug container 402 by meansof a plurality of stop blocks 422, which engage the outer rim 418 of lid400. Lid 400 is retained in position within plug container 402 by meansof friction between outer rim 418 and inner surface 420, as well as bymeans of engagement of arcuate lip 414 and indentation 416.

[0108] Additional and alternative means for retaining lid 400 withinplug container 402 can be employed. For example, snapping means may beprovided comprising a plurality of protrusions 424 on the lid 400 whichare engaged within corresponding concavities 426 in the plug container402 when the lid 400 is inserted within the opening 404 of the plugcontainer 402. Similarly, lid 400 may be attached to plug container 402by means of threaded screws (not shown). In such an embodiment arcuatelip 414 and indentation 416 would no longer be necessary or practical.Additionally, the center lid support structure could be mounted on plugcontainer 402, e.g., utilizing the means disclosed in FIGS. 4-5A, 8, 8Aand 10

[0109] A flexible handle 428 is also provided on the lid 400 at the edgeopposite that of the indentation 416. The handle 428 is necessary toremove the lid 400 from the plug container 402, since when the lid 400is inserted into plug container 402, the surface of the assembledcontainer 430 is substantially flush, such that there are no means forgrasping lid 400. The handle 428 is provided at the opposite edge fromthe indentation 416 in order to bias the lid 400 during removal suchthat the indentation 416 may be slid out from under arcuate lip 414.

[0110] The assembled container 430 may be used as a plug to seal theopening of a cylindrical shipping or packaging container (not shown)containing other materials. The assembled container 430 may be insertedwithin such cylindrical shipping or packaging container having an innerdiameter only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the assembledcontainer 430, such that the assembled container 430 would be infrictional contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical shipping orpackaging container. An annular collar 432 may be provided on the upperportion of the plug container 402 in order to limit the extent ofinsertion of the assembled container 430 into the cylindrical shippingor packaging container and to protect the rim of the cylindricalshipping or packaging container against damage.

[0111] A variety of additional and alternative means exist for retainingthe assembled container 430 within the cylindrical shipping or packagingcontainer during transport and storage thereof. For example, a pluralityof annular fins 434 are shown which may be provided on the outer surfaceof the assembled container 430, which fins 434 engage the inner surfaceof the cylindrical shipping or packaging container. Alternatively, theassembled container 430 may be screwed or snapped into the cylindricalshipping or packaging container or be retained therein by some adhesivemeans e.g., a plastic sleeve or “safety seal” that is shrink wrappedover the collar 432 of the assembled container 430 and the side of thecylindrical shipping and packaging container, or it may be lightlyrestrained by the friction between the outer walls of the assembledcontainer 430 as inserted against the inner walls of the cylindricalpackaging or shipping container.

[0112] The novel packaging device shown in FIGS. 16-18, when combinedwith a cylindrical container, is particularly well suited as a storagecontainer for a disc media and related material, such as children'sbuilding blocks and a related CD ROM. After use, the building blocks canbe easily deposited in the cylindrical container, the CD ROM re-mountedon lid 400 which is re-inserted within the plug 402, and the assembledcontainer 430 re-inserted within the cylindrical container to seal thecontainer. In this manner, the packaging device makes an effective andattractive storage container that can be maintained on shelves inchildren's rooms.

[0113] Illustrated in FIGS. 19A-20C is another embodiment of the presentinvention comprising a plug container 500 including an upper compartment502 and a lower chamber 504, said chambers being of complementary sizeand shape such that when said plug container 500 is in a closed position(as illustrated in FIGS. 16B, 16C, 17B and 17C), said chambers 502 and504 are disposed immediately adjacent to each other so as to form arelatively secure cavity or first chamber 506 within which thedisc-shaped media 52 may be safely stored. The preferred method ofsecuring said upper compartment 502 to said lower chamber 504 is bynesting one within the other. To accomplish said purpose, either saidupper compartment 502 or said lower chamber 504 is made somewhat smallerthan its opposite, such that the smaller of the two chambers 502, 504may nest inside the larger of the two chambers 502, 504. In thepreferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 19A-20C, the uppercompartment 502 is somewhat smaller than the lower chamber 504, whereinthe outer perimeter of the upper compartment 502 has substantially thesame diameter as the inner surface of the lower chamber 504 such thatthe upper compartment 502 fits snugly within the lower chamber 504,allowing friction to keep the two chambers 502, 504 together. It shouldbe appreciated, however, that other means for joining the two chambers502, 504 exist, such as clasps or snaps, which means would be moreappropriate if the two chambers 502, 504 were to have substantially thesame diameter.

[0114] The chambers 502, 504 are attached by means of a flexible hinge508 disposed at the edges thereof, which hinge 508 allows the plugcontainer 500 to be opened by separating the upper compartment 502 fromthe lower chamber 504 so as to gain access to the cavity or firstchamber 506 and the disc-media 52 stored therein, and closed by nestingthe smaller of the two chambers 502, 504 into the larger. Said hinge 508in the preferred embodiment is just wide and long enough so as toprovide adequate support and sufficient space to allow the twocompartments 502, 504 to engage and disengage each other, but remain asunobtrusive and unobstructive as possible. Inasmuch as the plugcontainer 500 is, in the preferred embodiment, designed to close andseal a container 12, it is imperative that the hinge 508 not interruptthe circumference of the plug container 500, particularly the lowerportion 510 of the plug container 500, which lower portion 510 sitswithin the opening of container 12.

[0115] The plug container 500 may be used as a plug to seal the openingof a cylindrical shipping or packaging container (not shown) containingother materials. The plug container 500 may be inserted within suchcylindrical shipping or packaging container having an inner diameteronly slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lower portion 510 ofthe plug container 500, such that the plug container 500 would be infrictional contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical shipping orpackaging container. An annular collar 512 may be provided on the upperportion of the plug container 500 in order to limit the extent ofinsertion of the plug container 500 into the cylindrical shipping orpackaging container and to protect the rim of the cylindrical shippingor packaging container against damage.

[0116] A variety of additional and alternative means exist for retainingthe plug container 500 within the cylindrical shipping or packagingcontainer during transport and storage thereof. For example, a pluralityof annular fins 514 are shown which may be provided on the outer surfaceof the lower portion 510 of the plug container 500, which fins 514engage the inner surface of the cylindrical shipping or packagingcontainer. Alternatively, the plug container 500 may be screwed orsnapped into the cylindrical shipping or packaging container or beretained therein by some adhesive means e.g., a plastic sleeve or“safety seal” that is shrink wrapped over the plug container 500 and theside of the cylindrical shipping and packaging container, or it may belightly restrained by the friction between the outer walls of the plugcontainer 500 as inserted against the inner walls of the cylindricalpackaging or shipping container.

[0117] A center support structure 516 is provided in the center ofeither the upper compartment 502 (as shown in FIGS. 19B, 19D and 19E) orthe lower compartment 504 (as shown in FIGS. 20B, 20D and 20E) forreceiving and retaining the disc-shaped media 52. Said center supportstructure 516 includes at least one support projection 518 which extendsfrom the inside surface 520 of either compartment 502, 504. Theseprojections 518 are adapted to be inserted within the central annularaperture of the disc-shaped media 52 such that the disc-shaped media 52is prevented from moving linearly either perpendicularly or parallel tothe plane of the disc-shaped media 52, while allowing the disc-shapedmedia 52 to rotate around the center support structure 516. In thepreferred embodiment, at least one raised protrusion 522 is disposed onthe end of the center support structure 516, which protrusion 522 servesto retain the disc-shaped media 52 in place over the center supportstructure 516, while allowing the disc-shaped media 52 to freely rotate.

[0118] In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the plugcontainer 500 may consist of two separate components, a preliminary plug550 and the clam-shell member 552. The preliminary plug 550 is designedto be inserted into and substantially seal the opening of the container554, while providing a plug chamber 556 adapted for receiving theclam-shell member 552. But for the fact that it is the preliminary plug550 and not the clam-shell member 552 that serves to seal the opening ofthe container 554, the clam-shell member 552 is in all other respectsidentical to the plug container 500, albeit of a slightly smallerdiameter so as to fit within the preliminary plug 550.

[0119] In yet another alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 22,the plug container 500 may be situated above a temporary container seal560, which temporary container seal 560 serves to secure the materialsstored within the container until such time that access is requiredthereto, at which time the temporary container seal is removed 560(either by means of a pull tab 562, or otherwise). The plug container500 in such embodiment rests on top of said temporary container seal560, and is prevented from separating therefrom in one embodimentby acontainer lid 562. When access to the contents of the container aredesired, the container lid 562 and plug container 500 are removed, andthe temporary container seal 560 is withdrawn. If all of the contents ofthe container are not consumed, the container lid 564 may be reappliedso as to secure the contents within the container. In an alternateembodiment, the plug container 500 can be held on the container seal 560by a safety seal (not shown) and, in a still further alternateembodiment, the plug container 500 can be reapplied to the containerafter the safety seal and temporary container seal 560 have been removedto secure non-consumed contents within the container.

[0120] The novel packaging device shown in FIGS. 19A-22, when combinedwith a cylindrical container, is particularly well suited as a storagecontainer for a disc media and other material. After removing the othermaterial from the cylindrical container, the disc-shaped media 52 may bepermanently stored in the plug container 500, which makes an attractiveand secure storage device for the disc-shaped media. Alternatively, ifother materials remain in the cylindrical container, the plug container500 may be used to reseal said materials within the container. In thismanner, the packaging device makes an effective and attractive storagecontainer. Illustrated in FIGS. 23-26 is yet another embodiment of thepresent invention comprising a container 600 including a first containerelement 602 and a second container element 604, said container elements602, 604 being of complementary size and shape such that when saidcontainer 600 is in a closed position (as illustrated in FIG. 23A), saidcontainer elements 602 and 604 are disposed immediately adjacent to eachother so as to form a relatively secure cavity or first chamber 606within which materials may be safely stored. The preferred method ofsecuring said first container element 602 to said second containerelement 604 is by nesting one within the other. To accomplish saidpurpose, either said first container element 602 or said secondcontainer element 604 is made somewhat smaller than its opposite, suchthat the smaller of the two container elements 602, 604 may nest insidethe larger of the two container elements 602, 604. In the preferredembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 23A first container element 602 issomewhat smaller than the second container element 604 such that thefirst container element 602 fits snugly within the second containerelement 604, allowing friction to keep the two container elements 602,604 together. Means may be provided on the first and second containerelements 602, 604 for interlocking the two elements, such as anindentation 608 on the first container element 602 which is designed toreceive a corresponding raised rim 610 on the second container element604 by means of a snap fit or compression fit. It should be appreciated,however, that other means for joining the two container elements 602,604 exist, such as clasps or snaps, which means would be moreappropriate, for example, if the two container elements 602, 604 were tohave substantially the same diameter.

[0121] As seen in FIGS. 23-25, convex element 609 flattens and concaveelement 611 flexes outward when the container elements 602, 604 are in aclosed position to conform with each other, as shown in area 613. Thecontainer elements 602, 604 in such figure are attached by means of anoption flexible hinge 612 disposed at the edges thereof, which hinge 612allows the container 600 to be opened by separating the first containerelement 602 from the second container element 604 so as to gain accessto the cavity or first chamber 606 and the materials stored therein, andclosed by nesting the smaller of the two container elements 602, 604into the larger. Said hinge 612 in the preferred embodiment is just wideand long enough so as to provide adequate support and sufficient spaceto allow the two container elements 602, 604 to engage and disengageeach other, but remain as unobtrusive and unobstructive as possible.

[0122] In the preferred embodiment, the hinge 612 also operates toprovide a loop 614 when said container 600 is in the closed positionthrough which a rope, string or lanyard (not shown) may be inserted soas to provide a convenient means to carry the container 600 (asillustrated in FIG. 23A). Alternatively, the container elements 602, 604can be two separate elements 615, 617 having extensions that matetogether to form the loop 614 as shown in FIG. 23B An individual may tiethe lanyard around his or her neck, thus resulting in the container 600being a necklace. Alternatively, the container 600 may be hung off anindividual's wrist, around his or her waist, across the shoulders, orany number of other carrying means. It should be appreciated, however,that the hinge 612 must therefore be stiff yet flexible enough so thatit may be bent so as to form the loop 614 while still retaining itsshape. In the preferred embodiment, the entire container 600 is composedof a transparent or translucent plastic and is formed in one piece.However, other materials, such as Lucite or cardboard would suffice. Ashas been described, the invention can also be accomplished with twopiece construction.

[0123] At least one center support structure 616 is provided on theexternal surface 618 of the container 600 for receiving and retainingthe disc-shaped media 42 on a platform 624. In the preferred embodiment,said center support structure 616 is disposed on the first containerelement 602, although it may be situated on the second containerelements 602 or a center support structure 616 can be situated on bothcontainer elements 602, 604 (as shown in FIG. 24). The support structure616 may include at least one protrusion 620 at the top thereof forretaining the disc-shaped media 42 on the support structure 616. Thesupport structure 616 is adapted to be inserted within the centralannular aperture of the disc-shaped media 42 such that the supportstructure 616 and protrusion 620 cooperate to prevent the disc-shapedmedia 42 from moving linearly either perpendicularly or parallel to theplane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media42 to rotate around the center support structure 616.

[0124] The disc-shaped media 42 is further protected on the externalsurface 618 of the container 600 by means of a raised wall 622 that runsaround the perimeter of the platform 624 upon which the disc-shapedmedia 42 sits. The diameter of the platform 624 must be at least largeenough to house the disc-shaped media 42 and allow it to rotate freely.Similarly, the height of the wall 622 should be at least as great as thethickness of the disc-shaped media 42 so as to provide adequate edgeprotection for the disc-shaped media.

[0125] As illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, two support structures 616 maybe provided on the external surfaces 618 on either side of the container600. Either of said structures 616, or both, may include the protrusions620 so as to receive and retain a disc-shaped media 42.

[0126] It should be appreciated that in the embodiments of FIGS. 23-24,the container elements 602, 604 must be separated and the container 600opened so as to provide access to the contents of the chamber 606.Alternatively, a hole 626 may be provided through one of the platforms624, said hole 626 serving to provide access to the chamber 606. Thesize of the hole 626 must be at least large enough so as to allowpassage therethrough of the contents of the chamber 606, not so largethat all the contents of the chamber 606 spill out simultaneously.

[0127] As seen in FIG. 25, in order to retain the contents of thechamber 606 within the chamber 606, a sealing member 628 may be attachedto the support structure 616, either by means of the protrusions 620 orby other means, such as an adhesive, snap, compression fit, heat seal orotherwise. Said sealing member 628 must be removed in order to provideaccess to the hole 626. Alternatively, a sealing member hole 630 may beprovided within the sealing member 628, which sealing member hole 630 isdimensioned in terms of size and shape relative to the hole 626 suchthat when the hole 626 and sealing member hole 630 are aligned, apassage is created to gain access to the chamber 606. By attaching thesealing member 628 to the container 600 by means of the supportstructure 616, the sealing member 628 may be allowed to rotate freely,thereby allowing the sealing member hole 630 and hole 626 to alternatelybe aligned so as to provide access to the chamber 606 or separated so asto close off the opening the chamber 606.

[0128]FIG. 26 illustrates such an embodiment in which a track 632 isprovided along the perimeter of the sealing member 628 and a stop 634 isprovided along the outer wall 622, which stop 634 and track 632cooperate to limit the rotation of the sealing member 628. Said elements632, 634 facilitate the alignment of the sealing member hole 630 andhole 626 by setting the stop 634 to stop the rotation of the sealingmember 628 when the two holes 626, 630 are in alignment.

[0129]FIGS. 27A and 27B illustrate yet another embodiment in which boththe disc-shaped media 42 and the sealing member 628 are received andretained by the same support structure 616. In the preferred embodiment,the sealing member 628 is applied first and retained thereon by means ofeither protrusions 620 on the support structure 616 or by protuberances632 that extend from the wall 622. Of course, the order of applicationof the disc-shaped media 42 and the sealing member 628 may be reversed.Regardless of the order of application, however, the two elements arefurther retained upon the support structure 616 by means of theapplication of a heat seal 634. It should be appreciated that othermeans for sealing these elements exist, including the use of adhesivesand the like.

[0130] Having thus described the invention with particular reference tothe preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes andmodifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A packaging device for packaging at least onedisc-shaped recording media and other materials, said device comprising:a container comprising a pair of complementary container elements eachhaving an interior and an exterior surface, said container having anopened and a closed position, wherein said interior surfaces of saidcontainer elements cooperate to form a chamber for receiving andretaining said other materials within said chamber when said containeris in the closed position; and means for supporting and protecting saidrecording media upon at least one of said exterior surface againstlineal movement in either the plane of the recording media orperpendicular to the plane of the recording media, while simultaneouslyallowing the recording media to rotate about the axis perpendicular tothe plane of the recording media.
 2. The packaging device of claim 1,wherein said complementary container elements are joined together byinterlocking means.
 3. The packaging device of claim 2, wherein saidinterlocking means comprises a flexible hinge.
 4. The packaging deviceof claim 2, wherein said means for supporting and protecting saidrecording media is mounted on at least one of said external surfaces ofsaid complementary elements, and wherein both said means for supportingand protecting said recording media and said recording media extend awayfrom said external surface when said container is in the closedposition.
 5. The packaging device of claim 4, wherein said means forsupporting and protecting comprises at least one upstanding surfaceprojection mounted on and extending from said exterior surface, saidsurface projection adapted to be inserted into and engaged within saidannular center aperture.
 6. The packaging device of claim 5, whereinsaid at least one upstanding surface projection includes at least oneprotrusion, said protrusion being adapted to retain said disc-shapedmedia on said upstanding surface projection, while allowing saiddisc-shaped media to freely rotate about said upstanding surfaceprojection.
 7. The packaging device of claim 5, wherein said means forsupporting and protecting further includes a wall to provide edgeprotection for said disc-shaped media.
 8. The packaging device of claim2, wherein said first and second container elements are cylindrical inshape, and wherein the diameter of said first container element isslightly less than the diameter of said second container element, andwherein at least a portion of said first container element is adapted tofit within said second container element.
 9. The packaging device ofclaim 8, wherein said first container element includes a recessedindentation and said second container element includes a complementaryraised rim, wherein said raised rim is adapted to be received by saidrecessed track so as to retain said container in the closed position.10. The packaging device of claim 2, wherein said second containerelement includes an opening to provide access into said chamber, andfurther including a removable sealing member for closing said opening,said sealing member being adapted to be repeatedly attached to andremoved from said container.
 11. The packaging device of claim 10,wherein said sealing member is free to rotate and includes an openingtherein dimensioned in terms of size and shape relative to said openingin said second container element wherein said openings cooperate toprovide access into said chamber at one preset point of rotate of saidsealing member.
 12. The packaging device of claim 11, wherein saidsealing member includes means for attachment to said means forsupporting and protecting to thereby allow said sealing member torotate.
 13. The packaging device of claim 12, further including means toprevent said sealing member from rotating completely.
 14. The packagingdevice of claim 13, wherein said means to prevent comprises a trackdisposed on said sealing member and a stop provided on said exteriorsurface, said stop engaging said track so as to allow for a limitedrange of rotation for said sealing member.
 15. The packaging device ofclaim 14, wherein said means for supporting and protecting comprises atleast one upstanding surface projection mounted on and extending fromsaid exterior surface, said surface projection adapted to be insertedinto and engaged by said disc-shaped media and said sealing member. 16.The packaging device of claim 15, wherein said surface projectionincludes at least one protrusion disposed thereon, said projection andsaid protrusion cooperating to retain said sealing member on saidupstanding surface projection, while allowing said sealing member tofreely rotate about said upstanding surface projection.
 17. Thepackaging device of claim 16, further including a heat seal adapted toretain said disc-shaped media and said sealing member within saidchamber.
 18. The packaging device of claim 15, wherein said means forsupporting and protecting further includes a wall to provide edgeprotection for said disc-shaped media, wherein at least one protuberanceis disposed on said wall, said protuberance acting to retain saidsealing member within said chamber, while allowing said sealing memberto freely rotate.
 19. The packaging device of claim 18, furtherincluding a heat seal adapted to retain said disc-shaped media and saidsealing member within said chamber.
 20. The packaging device of claim15, wherein said means for supporting and protecting further includes awall to provide edge protection for said disc-shaped media and whereinat least one protuberance is disposed on said wall, and further whereinsaid surface projection includes at least one protrusion disposedthereon, said protuberance acting to retain said sealing member on saidupstanding surface projection and said protrusion acting to retain saiddisc-shaped media on said upstanding surface projection, wherein bothsaid disc-shaped media and said sealing member are allowed to freelyrotate.
 21. The packaging device of claim 20, further including a heatseal adapted to retain said disc-shaped media and said sealing memberwithin said chamber.
 22. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein saidcomplementary container elements are joined together by interlockingmeans, said interlocking means being a flexible hinge that creates aclosed loop for receiving a lanyard when said container is in the closedposition.
 23. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein saidcomplementary container elements are joined together by interlockingmeans, said interlocking means including extensions that create a closedloop for receiving a lanyard when said container is in the closedposition.
 24. A method for packaging a disc-shaped media and materialsother than said disc-shaped media within a closed packaging device, saidmethod comprising the steps of: providing a container comprising a pairof complementary container elements each having an interior and anexterior surface, said container having an opened and a closed position,wherein said interior surfaces of said container elements cooperate toform a chamber for receiving and retaining said other materials withinsaid chamber when said container is in the closed position; providingmeans for supporting and protecting said recording media upon saidexterior surface against lineal movement in either the plane of therecording media or perpendicular to the plane of the recording media,while simultaneously allowing the recording media to rotate about theaxis perpendicular to the plane of the recording media; inserting saidmaterials other than said disc-shaped media within said second chamber;and removably attaching said disc-shaped media to said means forsupporting and protecting within said first chamber.